Oliver Hawkins' mentor holds the Portsmouth striker up as a shining example of what non-league players can achieve through hard graft and self-belief.

Gary Meakin signed his protege from North Greenford United when he was Hillingdon Borough boss, then nabbed him again for Northwood when he took over in the hot seat there.

It was under Meakin that Hawkins' game really developed, and he was snapped up by National League side Hemel Hempstead before getting his big break when then-League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge swooped in January 2016.

Having smashed in 18 National League goals for the Daggers last year, the striker moved to League One outfit Portsmouth on transfer deadine day in August, and has bagged four goals in his last five games for Pompey.

In fact, his match-winning brace against MK Dons on Saturday saw Hawkins named in the Football League's Team of the Week – picked from all four divisions below the Premier League.

Mentor: Gary Meakin

“The only thing holding Ollie back was be his self belief,” said Meakin, now manager at Southern League side Beaconsfield Town. “He never thought he was as good as he is.

“I had him for five years at Hillingdon Borough and Northwood before selling him to Hemel Hempstead, and it was only in his second year at Northwood that something clicked.

“He's a prime example that it doesn't happen overnight, and he's someone I point to when I want to tell my players what they can achieve in the game.”

Hawkins' rise may not have been rapid but it's certainly an impressive one. Hillingdon, where he first made his name, play no less than SEVEN levels below his current club Pompey, in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League.

His dad Steve is still a well-known face on the local football circuit too. He coaches and scouts for Chalfont St Peter, who are Southern League rivals and neighbours of Meakin's Beaconsfield.